Later that evening, in the campus café, Aryan joined Aarav, Vivaan, and two more of their friends.
The café was loud. Vivaan ordered fries and shakes. Aryan kept it simple — black coffee.
"Bro, this place is full of drama," Vivaan laughed. "Crushes, assignments, heartbreaks — the real battlefield."
Aryan smirked. "You all wouldn't last a week at my posting."
That's when she walked in. Same bangles, same straight face, same quiet vibe. Her bag slung to the side, earphones hanging loosely now.
She went to the counter and ordered silently, just a soft "Yes" to confirm her coffee. Then, she moved to the corner table and opened her sketchpad again.
Aryan's gaze didn't leave her.Aarav followed his eyes. "Oh ho. Target locked."
Aryan rolled his eyes. "Don't be ridiculous."
Vivaan leaned in. "You're staring like you've found the North Star."
"She's in your class?" Aryan asked.
Vivaan nodded. "Anjali. Sits on the second bench. Doesn't talk unless needed. Mostly hmm, yes, no. Sarcastic if you try too hard."
Aarav laughed. "Basically your female twin. Cold, quiet, and blunt."
Aryan leaned back in his chair, still watching her. She was sketching again. This time, it looked like the park she was sitting in earlier.
"She's good," he muttered.
Vivaan smirked. "Dude. You smiled. What's happening to Major Ice?"
Aarav added fuel, "Is this the same guy who said love is distraction? That emotions are weakness?"
Aryan didn't reply. But he smiled again.
And that's all the teasing they needed.
The Encounter
The universe conspired again.
Anjali's drink was delayed, and the café was getting crowded.
Aryan stood up, walked to the counter, and noticed two cups with her name already pre-written. He picked both up and walked over.
She looked up, eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"You seem to be waiting a while."
She stared at him.
"I didn't ask for help."
"Didn't say you did."He placed the cup on her table, kept the second one with him, and sat down across from her.
She exhaled. "Are you lost or bored?"
He smirked. "Neither. Just curious."
"About?"
"The girl who sketches like she's building a new world but talks like every word costs a thousand rupees."
She tilted her head. "You're the army guy. The one with the 'discipline over feelings' look."
He raised a brow. "Not bad."
"Hmm," she said.
And for the first time in a long time, Aryan felt something stir in his chest — not attraction, not lust, but something much rarer: interest.
Teasing & Tension
Back in their room later that night:
Aarav: "So Major Saab, when's the wedding?"Aryan: "You all are children."Vivaan: "But the man has officially changed. We saw it. Twice."Aarav: "Operation Anjali is on. Confirmed."Aryan: silent, hiding a smile
He didn't know her.But she had unknowingly taken residence in his thoughts — in the way her bangles chimed when she turned the page, the way her lips moved slightly while listening to music, and the way she never tried to impress anyone.
She was just… herself. And that was rare.
Her Side[1]
[1] She had noticed him too — from the first moment in the park.
He stood like he belonged to another world. Still, serious, and sharp. But his eyes weren’t arrogant. They were tired, observant, calm.
When he sat at her table in the café, she almost laughed. Who does that?
She didn’t believe in love at first sight, or second sight, or even fifth.
But something about him made her… not run away.
She knew people were scared of her silences. He wasn’t.